Time to buy Forever stamps; price set to increase May 11

The price of a first-class stamp is set to jump again next month, meaning you might want to stock up on Forever stamps now.

On May 11, a first-class stamp will go up by 2 cents to 44 cents. Other rates are set to rise, as well.

The Postal Service adjusts rates each May, but any increases must be at or below the rate of inflation under a 2006 law. Still, there have been more price increases this decade than any other – six including the one next month.

In 1958, a first-class stamp cost 4 cents. It was 15 cents by 1978 and 32 cents in 1998. The Forever stamp made its debut in 2007, when it cost 41 cents. It costs the same as a regular stamp but can be used to mail letters at any time in the future regardless of how much prices go up.

Postmaster General John Potter last month sought permission from Congress to cut mail delivery to five days a week, saying the Postal Service will run out of money this year. The agency lost $2.8 billion last year. Other rates set to rise May 11 are:

A postcard stamp will be 28 cents, up from 27 cents.

The first ounce of a large envelope will be 88 cents, up from 83 cents.

The first ounce of parcel post will be $1.22, up from $1.17.

The first ounce of first-class mail to Canada will be 75 cents, up from 72 cents.

The first ounce of first-class mail to Mexico will be 79 cents, up from 72 cents.

The first ounce of all other international first-class mail will be 98 cents, up from 94 cents.